HALLOWEEN! crafts

I had homework to do tonight. Obviously I did everything in my power to avoid it. I got crafty. I have had this little crafty vibe for the past few weeks. It's weird. I like it. I want to make things.

I love FALL AND HALLOWEEN. For some reason they hold some of my best childhood memories! I love the feeling of new teachers and lockers and pencils and school supplies. Cozy weather, football games, leaves, and candy. Everything about Fall says new, maybe because of the new school year, or maybe just because I am a weirdy.

My friend Cassidy made the cutest wreath the other day and so I asked her for left-over materials and made one too. I made one for my mom too because she always makes stuff for me. Speaking of which: she made me the darlingest (word?) fall table runner for my kitchen table. So I also had to make a Halloween table runner because we had gno with sewing last Thursday. I decided to stock up on crafty for a while because I have been so low on it for years and years and years. Anyway....here is what I have done! Enjoy!

(Excuse the pics: some of them are from my phone!)

You are Doing Better than You Think You Are

On Sunday we were really privileged to have Sister Julie Beck (General Relief Society President) speak to us in stake conference. Her message was dear to my heart and the spirit bore powerful testimony that I was one of the people who really needed to hear what she had to say.

Sister Beck began the message by tearfully thanking the women and mothers (and all people) for their efforts in behalf of the Savior. She acknowledged that life is hard and that "You are doing better than you think you are." What comforting words to hear from such a powerful and sweet woman! She told us that God recognizes our needs and silent struggles and we are doing well in the efforts we are making.

Then, she said, "As a stark contrast, we could be doing better." I was a little surprised by this turn of events, but Sister Beck was very inspired in her message. Though she spoke of many things we can improve on and become better at, one thing she said concerning young mothers really struck me and brought a flood of affirmation from the spirit.

"Young mothers should limit their time spent in front of the computer." She talked of how she has unexpectedly wasted hours online and that if we are not careful, we can go days without truly nurturing and loving our children.She talked of how we need to truly nurture and love these strong and faithful spirits from God because "they are too valuable to ignore." This struck my heart and made my soul sing with truth. We can all do better. We can all give more to our children to love, nurture, and build them into the faithful young servants that Heavenly Father needs.

This talk helped me to assess my own life and to make some improvements. It also made me further appreciate the beautiful effort men and women are putting forth every day. Remember: you are doing better than you think you are. Love you.

School Days

Man! I forgot how hard school was until Cache started studying with his uncles. He loves doing Drivers Ed and Chemistry with Coleby and he surely is tough enough to wrestle (and smooch) Mckay for P.E. It is hard work going to school, but Cache is up to the task!

Cache

My little man is rocking my world right now. I love that dude. He has started sleeping 12 hours a night! I can't even believe my luck and sometimes I want to just scream with joy. Of course, now that I wrote this, he'll be up all night tonight, but I don't care. He is so fun. He can say "dog" whenever we see one or hear one barking, and he loves "cars!" He loves driving them, riding in them, and especially zooming them around the floor. He is so smart and oh so fun. Cache is such an ultra boy. He loves anything outdoors, noisy, and intense. He sometimes gets a little spooked, but not for long. He loves tractors, motorcycles, soccerballs, horses....you name it. I can't wait for him to start walking so that he can further explore his little world. xoxo love you Cache.

New Website

I am trying to get things up and running with my photography. I have a website which makes me feel official. It still has some kinks and it is definitely far from perfect, but at least it is working for right now. It was a lot of work! It will take a lot of work to come too. That's ok.

One thing I've realized is that my style of editing isn't exactly what everyone enjoys. I've had to scale back a bit from the abnormal brights and funky finishes because most people aren't as "artsy" as that. I think it's good that I keep getting feedback and critism from others because, at least I hope, it will make me a better photographer and editor. Check the site out if you want and give some feedback (I think you'll have to do it here or on my facebook page). I have to keep my own style and flare to make this mine, but I do enjoy extra eyes catching things that I might not have noticed.

Xoxox

Nykelecrandallphotography.com

Giggle

I was driving home today and I decided to stop by Krispy Kreme. I haven't had a doughnut FOREVER and I wanted a big DOZEN yummy tastes of one. I found myself with the box of doughnuts in my hands as I am pulling out, Cache asleep in the back seat, and I am selecting a marvelous Chocolate Iced Kreme Filled doughnut. I turned onto the road and took a big bite. I found myself giggling outloud in delight. The doughnut was that good! I can't believe food can bring me that much pleasure....but it does. I was acting like a four year old eating a krispy kreme for the first time. Rad. Release the inner child.

Wyoming

I'm always talking about "going to Wyoming" and I realized I have never detailed what that exactly means. Wes has to change the water in the various fields we own up there so that the grass keeps growing and the cows keep eating. :) Sometimes we move cows, sometimes we build fence, but most of the time...we just relax. I think I man the house so that an infestation of rats and mice don't take over. That's my role. We actually spend a lot of time up there since Wes's sweet Grandpa passed away over a year ago.

Then during the fall, Wes's whole family is up there enjoying the cooler weather. We work the cows and eventually ween them and send them back to Utah, so it's a big task. Wes's dad was up with us part of the week this week and Cache loved playing with him. When Wes and Calvin would go to leave, Cache would scream and bawl because he thought he was one of the big boys.

Wyoming will always hold a special place in my heart because it is such a HUGE part of our lives. When Wes and I were freshman in college, he took me to the Wyoming ranch for the first time. I think that trip was when I started falling in love with him. It was a rare thing to see an entire family working hard, side by side, and enjoying it! Plus, Wes was a real-life COWBOY! I continued to go with his family even when Wes was gone on his mission.

Then after we were married, the first summer we spent in Wyoming was magical because I was really a part of the ranch now. I learned how to open all the different kinds of gates which brought me great pride (though, now I come to think of it, I think Wes just didn't want to get off of his fourwheeler), I learned how to change the water and build dams, and I even tried my hand at roping a fake cow in the horse pasture.

My second summer I was GREAT with child and still enjoyed Wyoming, but maybe not as much. I was fat and huge and was terrified of the mice. I think it was because I couldn't move away from them fast enough. I'd have to tap two sticks together or make weird noises to scare them away so that I could go to the bathroom at night. But I still enjoyed being up there.

This summer was different again. Cache joined the ranks and we have had a blast with him up there. His wonder and awe remind me of my first time on the ranch. Wes is always telling me about stories and memories he has from up there with his cousins and family. I hope my kids have that same great memory pool to chose from. :)

Top Sixteen Things I love about Wyoming:

16. Wes helping me with dishes at every meal. We talk and laugh the whole time.
15. Rainstorms. I cuddle up in the house all day.
14. The Kirby vacuum. The thing's 4000 years old and it's sucking things up like it was built yesterday.
13. Lazy Mornings!
12. Jack the dog playing "peek a boo" with Cache while we are in the fields.
11. NO MAKE-UP!
10. The mice (especially when they are in the trap)--We found one in the bathtub this time.
9. The air (sweet and usually mildly windy).
8. Time fades away. You don't know if you've been up in Wyoming for a day or six weeks...it doesn't matter.
7. Sunsets, sunrises, sun days. Gorgeous view. Always.
6. Fourwheeler rides. We can spend hours together on the fourwheelers. Cache LOVES THEM! (he thinks he can drive, but his arms don't reach both handlebars!)
5. I actually cook good meals. I enjoy doing it.
4. I have time to tickle, snuggle, and play with Cache and Wes. All day.
3. Reading time! I get a whole book done when I'm up there.
2. Grandma Dolores' stationary. She has gold "C" seals that I can put on my envelopes, people!
1. A reminder that family and nature is a miraculous beautiful gift from God.

It's heaven. I truly love Wyoming.